Tool-lifting mechanism for planers



G. E. GREE NLEAF. TOOL LIFTING MECHANISM FOR PLANERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.12, 919.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

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G. E. GREENLEAF. TOOL UFTING MECHANISM FOR'PLANERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12, 1919 Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

3 SHEETSI-SHEEI 2.

y l 1 B NN H m i Swue wbo'a E. Jamie UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE. E. GREENTBEAI, OF PLAINEIELR. NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO NILES-BEMENT- PONDCOMPANY, OF. NEW YORK, N. Y., A GORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

. TOOL-LIFTING MECHANISM FOR PLANERS.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Application filed August 12, 1919'. Serial No. 317,009.

T all whowm'tmm concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE E. GREENL- LEAF, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New J ersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'lool Lifting Mechanisms for Planers, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings I have had illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the accompanying claims being relied upon for that purpose. Especially it will be understood that the general form and construction of the principal elements of the planer, apart from the features to which the invention particularly relates, may be widely changed.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1. is a fragmentary side view of a planer.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front view.

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view" taken. along lines l4l of Figs. 3 and 5 and illustrating the details of construction of one of the tool heads.

Fig. 5 a rear view of the saddle and associated parts as shown in Fig; 4.

l 6 is a detail sectional view talcen along the line 66 of Fig. d and showlng the vertically adjustable slide and associated parts.

.liig. 7 is a fragmentary rear view of the vertically adjustable slide and the parts as sociated therewith.

Fig, 8 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the feeding and controlling mechanism carried by the cross rail. This view is taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 9.

9 is a fragmentary side view of the parts shown in Fig. 8. In this view the cover plate is omitted in order to more clearly show the other parts.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of one of the ratchet feed devices.

Fig. 11 is a detail view partly in section along the line 1l-11 of Fig. 8;

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the bed of a planer and 9. the work carrying table which is longitudinally movable along the bed in the usual way. For reciprocating the table any suitable mechanism may be provided but I prefer an electric motor 3 which is directly connected with the table and which is repeatedl geversed to drive the table forward and backward. For effecting the reversals of the motor 3 there is provided a pilot switch l which is adapted to be operated by levers 5 and 6. Dogs 7 and 8 are adjustably mounted on the table in position to engage the levers 5 and 6 respectively and thus move the pilot switch and reverse the motor.

Positioned at the sides of the bed 1 are uprights 9-9 and these are connected by an arch 10. Vertically adjustable along suitable guideways on the uprights is a cross rail 11. For effecting vertical adjustment of the cross rail there are provided screws 12-42 which are connected at their upper ends with a transverse shaft 13 by means of bevel gearing 14:14c. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for rotating the shaft 13, but as illustrated, use is made of an electric motor 15 mounted 011 the arch 10. The motor is connected with the shaft by means of suitable power transmit ting mechanism which includes a clutch 1t manually operable by means of a hand lever 17.

Transversely movable along the cross rail 11 are two tool heads 18 and 19. For moving the tool heads and for controlling them there are provided three shafts 20, 21 and 22 which extend longitudinally of the cross rail and are rotatably nilounted therein. The upper and lower shafts 20 and 21 are threaded and the central shaft 22 is provided with a spline groove for purposes to be set forth.

The two tool heads 18 and 19 are similar and a description of one of them will suffice forboth. As illustrated in detail in Figs. 4;

and 5 each head includes a saddle 23 which engages ways formed on the cross rail. Carrled by the saddle 23 1s a swivel bracket 24f -which is held in position and guided by means of tongues 25-25 and bolts 26-26 entering a circular T-slct 27 formed in the saddle. In order that the bracket may be conveniently turned the upper part of the with the worm teeth 28. It will be seen that when the worm 29 is rotated the swivel bracketwill be turned about its horizontal axis of adjustment.

The swivel bracket 24 is provided with a guideway which is normally vertical and a slide 30 is movable along this guideway. For moving the slide there is provided a screw 31 which extends longitudinally of the slide and which is bodily movable therewith. The screw has threaded engagement with a nut 82. It will be seen that when the screw 81 is turned manually the slide will be moved longitudinally. Mounted on the slide 30 is a swivel plate 33 which is mounted for pivotal movement on a bushing secured to the slide d0. By means of a clamp 35 the swivel plate can be locked in any desired position of adjustment. lillounted on the swivel plate 33 is a clapper box 86 to which the cutting tool may be secured in the usual manner, as for instance, bythe bolts 3737. The clapper box 36 is connected to the swivel plate by means of a normally horizontal pivot pin 38. The clapper box with the tool can move about this pin, thus permitting the tool to swing out of engage ment with the work during the return stroke of the planer table and thus effect relief.

For moving the saddle along the cross rail, either preliminarily for purposes of adjustment or during operation for the purpose of feeding, use is made of one of the beforementioned threaded shafts, in this case the shaft 21. Secured to the saddle at the rear thereof is a bracket 39 which projects into the longitudinal recess in the cross rail in which the several shafts are located. This bracket is provided with apertures through which the respective shafts 20, 21 and 22 extend, the aperture for the shaft 21 being threaded to engage the said shaft. It

a will be seen that when the shaft 21 is turned,

the saddle and the parts carried thereby are moved longitudinally along the cross rail. For the other head 19 the construction is similar except that the shaft 20 is engaged so that rotation thereof will move the head.

For moving the slide 30 by power, use is made of the shaft 22. Splined on this shaft is a bevel gear a0 which is adapted to mesh rith a bevel gear 41, this second bevel gear being rotatably mounted in a bearing in the bracket 24 with its axis coincident with the axis of adjustment of the said bracket. Connected with the bevel gear 41 is a. bevel gear-r42 which meshes with a bevel gear 43 connected with the nut 32. Preferably there is provided means such as a spring pressed detent 43 for preventing the screw 31 from turning. It will be seen that when the shaft 22 is turned the nut 32 will also be turned with respect to the screw, thus moving the slide 30 upward or downward. Inasmuch as the axis of the bevel gears l1 and 42 is coincident with the axis of adjustment of the swivel bracket 24-, the bracket can be freely adjusted without interfering with the power connection. In order that the same shaft 22 may serve for both heads means is provided whereby the drive gear -10 for either head. may be connected to or disconnected from the corresponding driven gear a1. is illustrated, the gear i0 is slidable with respect to the saddle under the control of a forked rod ll and a hand lever It will be seen that by this mechanism the gear can be brought into or out of mesh with the gear d1, thus completing or breaking the power connection.

For operating the several shafts 20, 2.1. and there is provided a mechanism which is mounted on one end of the cross rail and which preferably receives its power from an independent electric motor, this motor preferably being the aforesaid motor 15. As illustrated, there is provided a shaft 4E6 which extends transversely of the planer and which is directly geared to the motor 15. By means of bevel gearing 47 this shaft is connected with a vertical shaft 4-8 adjacent one end of the cross rail. Power is transmitted from the shaft L8 to a power element or shaft on the cross rail. As illustrated a bevel gear e9 is splined on the vertical shaft 48 and this meshes with a bevel gear 50 on a short horizontal. power shaft 5i forming a part of the control mechanism on the end of the cross rail. The shaft 5i is mounted in a casing 52 secured to the cross rail and in a cover plate 52 secured to the casing and the shaft carries a gear 53 and a crank arm 54 carrying an adj ustable crank pin 54:. Secured to the inner wall. of the casing 52 is a. pivot pin 55. llotatably mounted on the pin is a gear 56 which meshes with the aforesaid gear Also mounted on the pivot pin 5a is a crank arm 57 which is connected with the aforesaid adjustable crank pin ar by means of a link 58. It will be seen that when the shaft 51. is rotated by means of the shaft 48 and the motor 15, the gear 56 is continuously rotated and the crank arm 57 is oscillated. the extent of oscillation being dependent upon the adjustment of the crank pin Pi.

Rotatably mounted on the hubs of the gear 56 and the crank arm 57 is a gear 55). Positioned between the hubs of the gear 56 and the crank arm 57 is a clutch element 60. having clutched teeth at its opposite ends which are adapted respectively to mesh with similar teeth formed on the hub of the gear 56 and the hub of the crank arm 57. This clutch element (30 has splined engagement lllll menace ing through slots in the pin 55. A spring detent 63 is provided for holding the clutch in neutral position or in engagement with the gear 56 or in engagement with the crank arm 57.

The gear 59meshes with three ears 64:, 65 and 66 mounted respectively on the squared ends of the shafts 20, 21 and 22. Each of the gears 64:, 65 and 66 is in the form of a click box which may conveniently be constructed asset forth in the copending application of Harold; L. Blood for Click Boxes, Serial No. 2793130 filed February th, 1919. As shown in Fig. 10, each click box includes two oppositely actingpawls 67 which are spring-pressed outward and adapted to engage ratchet notches formed in the outer gear ring. By means of a manually adjustable ring 68 either of the pawls can be rendered inoperative. This mechanism constitutes a reversible ratchet which enables the gear to drive the shaft when it rotates in one direction but not when it rotates in the other direction.

When either one of the heads is to be preliminarily moved for ustment or when one or both of the slides is to be preliminarily moved, the motor 15 is continuously operated and the clutch element is moved inward to connect the gears 56 and 59. By rotating the motor in the proper direction and by properly setting the ratchet devices, it will be clear that either head can be moved in either direction and that either slide 30 can be moved upward or downward.

vVhenintermittent feeding is to be offected, the motor 15 is operated intermittently, being started at each end of the table movement and being rotated sutficiently to turn the crank arm 5% through The electric control devices for starting and stopping the motor to eifect the intermittent operation thereof constitute no part of the present invention and therefore are not illustrated. The movement of the crank arm 5% through 180 turns the crank arm 57 to an extent depending on the adjustment of the crank pin 545. By means i of the clutch element 60 the gear 59 is connected to the crank arm 57 and thus this gear is turned to the same extent. Inasmuch as the gear 59 meshes with the gears 64, and 66. these gears are turned first in one direction and then in the other at the respective ends of the table movement. By means of the ratchet devices either direction ofmovement can be made effective for turning the corresponding shafts 20. 21 and 22. Thus either or both heads can be fed both in the same direction or in opposite direc tions and thus either or both of the slides 30 can be fed upward or downward.

The mechanism as thus far described has been used prior to my present invention and does not of itself constitute any part thereof. The mechanism has been described in detail because of the peculiar coiiperative relationshipbetween it and the supplemental mecha nism to be now set forth.

It is highly desirable to swing the tool away from the work during the return movement in order that it may not drag.

plate is swung about the axis of the pivot pins it moves the rod 69 endwise, thus pushing the clapper box outward. For swinging the plate 79 there is provided a rod 7 which extends through a central aperture in the hub of the gear 41. This rod at its outer end engages the plate 79, the rod preferably being supported near its outer end by a small bearing. 7a. In order that it may not interfere with the screw 31 the rod '73 is provided at with an eye through which the screw extends. At its inner end the rod 73 is joined to a plate 76 having a large aperture through which theshaft QZextends. The rear edge of the plate engages a cam 77 which is splined on an operating shaft 78 extending the entire length of the cross rail. When the shaft 78' and the cam 77 are turned, the rod 73 is moved endwise, thus swinging the plate 70 and moving the rod 69 endwise. The endwise movement of the rod 69 causes the clapper box with the tool to swing outward as before stated. Inasmuch as the rod 7;) extends through the center of adjustment of the swivel bracket 24, it will be clear that the angular movement of the said bracket in no way affects or interferes with the action of the rod. The plate 70 has considerable length so that the rod 73 will remain in engagement with it for all positions oi the vertical slide 30. Inasmuch as the rod 69 extends through the center of adjustment of the swivel plate 33, its action is in no way affected or interfered with by the movement of the said plate. Thus there is provided a train of devices which serves to swing the clapper box and tool outward and which remains operative for all positions of the several tool carrying parts.

For turning the shaft '78 there is provided a gear 79 on the hub of the gear 56. This gear 7 9 meshes with an idler gear 89 which in turn meshes with a gear 81 on the end of the shaft '78. It will be recalled that the shaft 51 is rotated through 180 at each end of the table movement. The ratio of the train of gearing 53, 56, 79, 80 and 81 is such that the shaft 78 is also rotated through 180 or through some other suitable angle at each end of the table movement. Thus at the end of the return stroke the shaft 78 and the cam 77 are moved to the position shown in Fig. l, the clapper box and the tool then occupying their normal positions. At the end of the cutting stroke the shaft 78 and the cam 77 are turned, thus swinging the clapper box and the tool outward by means of the mechanism already described.

Inasmuch as the shaft 51 and the gears 53 and 56 are turned continuously in the same direction When preliminary adjustments are being made, the gear 81 is also turned continuously in the same direction. Continuous turning of the shaft 78 and of the cam 77 would be objectionable, as this Would vibrate the clapper box and the tool unnecessarily. To avoid this the gear 81 is loosely mounted on the shaft 78 and is adapted to be connected thereto by means of a clutch 82 which can be operated by means of a hand lever 83. Vl' henever the heads are to be traversed for preliminary adjustments, the clutch 82 is moved to its open position as shown. thus rendering the tool lifting mechanism inoperative.

What I claim is:

1. In a planer, the combination with the reciprocating table, the cross rail and the tool head movable along the cross rail, of a power shaft mounted on the cross rail at one end, tool feed mechanism operated by the said shaft and including ratchet devices, the said feed mechanism being connected to automatically reverse periodically as the drive shaft is turned in a single direction, tool lifting mechanism on the tool head, a haft extending longitudinally of the rail for operating the lifting mechanism, and gearing connecting the last said shaft with the said power shaft for rotative movement in direct proportion to the rotation of the latter.

2. In a planer, the combination with the reciprocating table, the cross rail and the tool head movable along the cross rail and comprising a saddle. an adjustable swivel support on the saddle, an adjustable slide on the bracket and an adjustable swivel plate on the slide. a power shaft mounted on the cross rail at one end, tool feed mechanism operated by the said shaft and including ratchet devices, the said feed mechanism being connected to automatically reverse periodically as the drive shaft is turned in a. single direction, tool lifting mechanism on the tool head operative for all adjustments of the aforesaid bracket, slide and plate, a shaft extending longitudinally of the rail for operating the lifting mechanism, and gearing connecting the last said shaft with the said power shaft for rotative movement in direct proportion to the rotation of the latter.

3. In a planer, the combination with the reciprocating table, the cross rail and the tool head movable along the cross rail, of a power shaft mounted on the cross rail at one end, tool feed mechanism operated by the said shaft and including ratchet devices, the said feed mechanism being connected to automatically reverse periodically as the drive shaft is turned in a single direction, tool lifting mechanism on the tool head, a shaft extending longitudinally of the rail for operating the lifting mechanism, gearing connecting the last said shaft with the said power shaft for rotative movement in direct proportion to the rotation of the latter, and means for changing the extent of feeding independently of the extent of movement of the lifting mechanism.

i. In a planer, the combination with the reciprocating table, the cross rail and the tool head movable along the cross rail, of a power shaft mounted on the cross rail at one end, two coaxial gears connected with the power shaft for intermittent movement in unison, one of them being oscillated, tool feed mechanism operated by the last said gear and including ratchet devices, tool lifting mechanism on the tool head, and a shaft extending longitudinally of the rail for operating the lifting mechanism, the said shaft being operated intermittently by the other of the said gears.

5. In a planer, the combination with the reciprocatii'ig table. the cross rail and the tool head movable along the cross rail, of a power shaft mounted on the cross rail at one end, two coaxial gears connected with the power shaft for intermittent movement in unison, one of them being oscillated, tool feed mechanism operated by the last said gear and including ratchet devices, tool lifting mechanism on the tool head, a shaft extending longitudinally of the rail for operating the lifting mechanism, the said shaft being operated intermittently by the other of the said gears, and means for changing the extent of oscillation of the oscillatory 116 gear without changing the extent of movements of the other gear.

6. In a planer, the combination with the reciprocating table, the cross rail and the tool head movable along the cross rail. of 120 a power shaft mounted on the cross rail at one end, tool lifting mechanism on the tool head, a shaft extending longitudinally of the rail for operating the lifting mechanism,

a crank connected with the power shaft for oscillatory movement, a gear connected with the power shaft for either intermittent or continuous movement in unison therewith, a second gear adapted to be connected optionally with the erank for feeding the tool head intermittently or with the first gear for moving the tool head continuously, and means connected with the aid first gear for 0s cillating the operating shaft in unison therewith.

7. In a planer, the combination with the reciprocating table, the cross rail and the tool head movable along the cross rail, of a power shaft mounted on the cross rail at one end, tool lifting mechanism 011 the tool head, a shaft extending longitudinally of the rail for operating the lifting mechanism, a crank connected with the power shaft for oscillatory movement, a gear connected with the power shaft for either intermittent or continuous. movement in unison therewith, a second gear adapted to be connected optionally with the crank for feeding the tool head intermittently or with the first gear for moving the tool head continuously, means connected with the said first gear for oscillating the operating shaft in unison therewith, and a clutch interposedwith the said first gear and the operating shaft, whereby the shaft can be disconnected when the gear is turned continuously.

In testimony whereof, I hereto afiix my signature.

GEORGE E. GREENLEAF. 

